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The Outlander Plug-in Hybrid makes for a very cost-effective company car, giving Mitsubishi’s sales a much-needed boost

We phoned Mitsubishi earlier this year to see if we could borrow one of its Mirages to review. It said no.

Turns out, it didn’t actually have any on its press fleet, which is unusual to say the least. To be clear, we are not talking about some whizzy hypercar, but a ford /fiesta">Fiesta-sized hatchback that retails for £12,000. Perhaps, and I am merely speculating here, it had decided that the Mirage had been so poorly received on launch that in future no coverage would be better than bad coverage.

Instead, we booked a Shogun 4x4, thus prompting an argument in the office about whether we’d take one of these over a Toyota Land Cruiser. This was a waste of time, though, because we soon realised we didn’t want either.

So, that’s two reasons not to go to a Mitsubishi dealer. The ASX is another, unless you want a pale imitation of a NissanQashqai, and let us not forget the iMiev electric car. Actually, yes, let’s.

Full Mitsubishi Outlander review

Despite all this, Mitsubishi dealers have been buzzing around as though the water in their vending machines has been swapped for gin, because for the first time in years, they have one car that people actually want.

Find out how the Mitsubishi Outlander fares in our full test

It’s called the Outlander PHEV, which everybody pronounces “Fev”, but actually means Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. The Fev is the big player in the hybrid market, accounting for more use of the Government’s plug-in car grant than any other model, and boosting Mitsubishi UK’s sales by 75 per cent.

It’s easy to see why. For example, it attracts just five per cent company car tax, and is exempt from road tax and the London congestion charge. Its two electric motors (one on each axle, making it four-wheel drive) are backed up by a 2.0-litre petrol engine to produce an official fuel economy figure of 156mpg, and CO2 emissions of just 42g/km. That’s less than my cat.

Admittedly, because of the way these tests are conducted, you’re about as likely to get 150mpg from a Fev as you are to see a Mirage. Unless, that is, you can plug it in to charge for a few hours either side of your commute, thus fully utilising the 30-mile electric range.

The other reason for the Fev’s success is that it costs the same as a diesel Outlander, thus putting electric motoring (and indeed Mitsubishi) into the hands of people who might not otherwise consider it. And while prices have increased for this updated version, you’re still getting a lot of tax‑dodging SUV for your money.

It’s not bad to drive, either, with a soft ride and lots of go from the electric motors. Plus, it’s good at shutting out wind and road noise.

Admittedly, the steering feels as though it’s connected to the wheels via interlinked plastic straws, and if you use your Fev on the motorway you’ll struggle to top 35mpg because of how the hybrid system works, but such things were never intended to be its forte. Rather, it is a big 4x4 that will save you thousands in tax without making you look like a lentilist. In doing so, it might just have saved Mitsubishi’s bacon.

THE FACTS

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Tested: Petrol-electric plug-in hybrid with four-wheel drive

Price/on sale: From £29,249 (including £5,000 plug-in car grant)/now

Power/torque: 200bhp/284lb ft

Acceleration: 0-62mph in 11sec

Top speed: 106mph

Fuel economy: 156mpg (EU Combined)

CO2 emissions: 42g/km

VED band: A (zero pounds)

Verdict: Not perfect to drive, but what was already a fine choice for company car users has been improved with a few small updates. Hard to argue with the numbers.

Telegraph rating: Three stars out of five stars

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